orftomnl

I have stayed here a few times and was satisfied with the room, room service food, and I especially like the swimming pool. From what I have seen almost all Philippine hotels add a service charge to the price. That sounds like a normal rate for that time of year.

If you want to stay in that part of Manila, check the Pan Pacific which is right next door to the Hyatt, and sometimes their rate is about same or lower, but will include something extra like free breakfast or free airport transport. I have stayed at the Pan Pacific and was also satisfied with that hotel, however the pool is not as nice as the Hyatt.

Canarsie

Thank you.

I really have not yet researched in what part of Manila I would like to stay; but what I found seemed like a decent — not great — room rate for this hotel property.

The swimming pool was not an important consideration to me, as I will only be in Manila for two days with nothing scheduled as of yet — but perhaps I should pack a bathing suit just in case...

kevino

You might check to see if cash and points is available instead.

Yes, the service charge and tax are steep.

Canarsie

I have thought about that; but this stay will net me an extra 2,000 bonus Hyatt Gold Passport points.

Thank you, kevino.

tomy77

Looks like it's leaving Hyatt.
"Hyatt Regency Hotel and Casino Manila will cease to be managed by Hyatt Hotels Corporation, with effect from midnight January 1, 2015. It has been announced, the new operating company will be New World Hotels."

uncommonsensical

i'm curious what type of stay would net you 2k points extra for a paid stay but would not with C&P? C&P are stays that count towards status and promotions, hence my query...

Canarsie

I have never done cash and points, so it is just a regular stay...

...and the room rate was lowered to 5,904 Philippine pesos — including all taxes and fees — so I changed my reservation to take advantage of the lower rate.

anandrag

Do taxis take credit cards or should I get cash at the airport? Assume ATMs in arrival areas. Coming in from Guam on UA.
Does hotel have a shuttle service or are pre-paid taxis the best way to go?

77W_12A

The taxis don't take credit cards in Manila.

The hotel does have a shuttle service, but wouldn't even bother. The hotel isn't that far from NAIA. Just queue up for a taxi. Shouldn't be over USD 10.

One word of advice when departing from MNL. Save around 550 pesos to pay the departure tax. NO CREDIT CARDS. Cash only. If you don't have it, there's a convenient currency exchange next to the counters where you pay the departure tax and THEY WILL RAPE YOU on the exchange rate.

anandrag

Thx
Assume there are ATMs at the airport to get cash when I land?

Canarsie

I used a credit card with no problem at Terminal 1 when departing from Manila just a few days ago.

MatthewLAX

Thank you!

danger

Given the hotel is about to leave the Hyatt family I won't go into too much detail with my review of a three night stay last week.

I used a DSU and was upgraded to a regency suite king. It was large with a table for four people, two large LCD TVs and DVD players and a fairly large bathroom. It did not have a separate WC for guests. When I walked into the room I didn't think much of it and thought that would set the tone for my stay but it didn't. The three nights were very pleasant.

The Regency Club evening spread is one of the best I've ever come across. In addition to an extensive selection of cold canapés and sweets, each of my three nights saw three different hot dishes available. Drinks were self pour but a number of staff wandered around and were only too happy to refill drinks. The lounge is spacious with lots of windows (although there isn't a great deal to look at). It's dimly lit which can provide a nice atmosphere but it's not good for reading.

I wasn't offered a Diamond amenity or points (the 1W posted, however) but there was a whole fruit platter in the room along with a standard welcome card from the GM. Ice was delivered promptly. Housekeeping was good.

I was blown away by the breakfast buffet. It was incredible. An almost infinite number of selections, Asian and Western, spread across several counters. Waffles, pancakes and omelettes were made to order. Breakfast in the restaurant was complimentary for HGP Diamond.

In my proceeding five weeks in Manila I didn't find the Filipinos to be a particularly warm bunch. A lot of times I found them to be disinterested and bordering on rude. But all the staff I encountered at Hyatt were polite and helpful.

I'd come to the hotel from Quezon City but left to the airport with a regular taxi. The journey took about 40 minutes in moderate traffic and cost me about USD5. Both the travel time and cost included 10 to 12 minutes of the driver changing a flat!

gym
break

kevino

Danger, that's an accurate description of the hotel and lounge. You can watch the sunset over Manila Bay from 5:15 to 6:00pm most nights from the lounge. They always ask what you want to drink in the evening.

Indeed, the food in the evening has gotten much better the last two months. I asked the lounge manager why, and she said it was because with the change to a new hotel shortly, the owner doesn't seem concerned with food costs unlike before. Now, they usually have rice or hot pasta each night and at least one good meat dish. They've always had good desserts and sushi.

I prefer the quiet lounge at bf rather than the buffet at the restaurant.

I also got a fruit platter when I checked in two days ago, unlike most of my last 20 visits or so. I think it's a new thing. I'm positive I will get the 1W though wasn't asked at check-in.

Yesterday I showed the lounge agents my bill from early Oct. 2004, just a few weeks after their soft opening. I'm sad to see this property leave Hyatt after 70 stays here.

kevino

In T1 there are ATM's to the left as you exit customs. I don't know about T2 and T3, but assume they have ATM's too. Btw, the currency exchange rates by the banks at arrivals are excellent. I don't know about at departures, but am surprised that they would be different. You can also pay the airport departure tax in US currency at a good exchange rate.